Jan BrueghelFlemish, 1568–1625The Sermon on the Mount
Can I see it?
Yes, on view now
Where is “The Sermon on the Mount” now? J. Paul Getty Museum, Museum East Pavilion, Gallery E203, Los Angeles. Yes, on view now. Checked October 5, 2026.
Closed· opens at 10:00 AM
On public display.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the painting
In this small painting, the figure of Christ is almost lost amid the dense, multi-colored crowd. Identified by a pale yellow halo, Christ stands on a rustic podium near the crowd's center. He presents his sermon on the conditions of blessedness. Behind Christ, his disciples pay rapt attention, but many in the diverse throng prefer to socialize with one another. In the foreground, a gnarled gypsy tells fortunes and a vendor sells pretzels. To the right, below a distant vista, a man in a long coat and dark hat directs two women in elegant gowns toward the crowd. Jan Brueghel the Elder painted this festive scene on a thin sheet of copper. The work's bright colors, fine details, and enamel-like finish are accentuated by the hard copper support. Brueghel's unmatched ability to describe figures and landscape in great detail transforms the painting into a jewel-like object intended for close scrutiny.
J. Paul Getty Museum
Details
- Accession number
- 84.PC.71
In the catalog
Sources
- J. Paul Getty Museum
- Image: J. Paul Getty Museum — Open Content
In the life of Jan Brueghel
The whole life1589–1596
Travel: Italy
1595–1596 · Workplace
Milan
1596–1625 · Workplace
Antwerp
1599
Joins the Brotherhood of Romanists
Three years after his return from Italy, Brueghel became a member of the Brotherhood of Romanists in Antwerp.
23 January 1599
Marries Isabella de Jode
In Antwerp's Cathedral of Our Lady Brueghel married Isabella de Jode, daughter of the cartographer, engraver and publisher Gerard de Jode.
